---
title: "CVE-2026-22693\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-22693?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2026-22693

Publication date 10 January 2026

Last updated 15 January 2026

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-22693?format=md#priority-reason )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**5.3 · Medium**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-22693?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

HarfBuzz is a text shaping engine. Prior to version 12.3.0, a null pointer
dereference vulnerability exists in the SubtableUnicodesCache::create
function located in src/hb-ot-cmap-table.hh. The function fails to check if
hb\_malloc returns NULL before using placement new to construct an object at
the returned pointer address. When hb\_malloc fails to allocate memory
(which can occur in low-memory conditions or when using custom allocators
that simulate allocation failures), it returns NULL. The code then attempts
to call the constructor on this null pointer using placement new syntax,
resulting in undefined behavior and a Segmentation Fault. This issue has
been patched in version 12.3.0.

### Why is this CVE low priority?

This is a DoS that isn't attacker-controlled

[Learn more about Ubuntu priority](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| harfbuzz | 26.04 LTS resolute | Not affected |
| 25.10 questing | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 25.04 plucky | Ignored end of life, was needed |
| 24.04 LTS noble | Vulnerable |
| 22.04 LTS jammy | Not affected |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Not affected |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Not affected |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)
* [Patch details](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2026-22693?format=md#patch-details)

### Patch details

For informational purposes only. We recommend not to cherry-pick updates. [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)

| Package | Patch details |
| --- | --- |
| harfbuzz | * Upstream:   [1265ff8](https://github.com/harfbuzz/harfbuzz/commit/1265ff8d990284f04d8768f35b0e20ae5f60daae) |

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

5.3 · Medium

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | None |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | None |
  | Integrity impact | None |
  | Availability impact | Low |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 5.3 · Medium |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2026-22693)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-22693)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2026-22693)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2026-22693)

### Other references

* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-22693>
* <https://github.com/harfbuzz/harfbuzz/security/advisories/GHSA-xvjr-f2r9-c7ww>
* <http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2026/01/11/1>